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There has been tremendous progress in overall life expectancy, IQ levels, and many other quality of life measures for persons with Down Syndrome over the last 30 years. The Executive Director of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, Michelle Whitten, writes about “The Story of Two Syndromes” on their website. The “Old Syndrome”, referencing before the 1980’s in the U.S., was characterized by institutionalization, limited access to education, marginalized healthcare, and short life spans. The average life expectancy for a person with Down Syndrome in the 1980’s was only 28 years old. Fortunately, public policy and litigation in the 1970’s and going forward started a significant shift away from institutional services and toward community living, improved health care, and educational access. The “New Syndrome” ultimately resulted in a dramatic improvement in life span such that today’s average... Continue Reading

h/t Disability Scoop Data released last month from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program indicates that there were 88 reported hate crime offenses during 2015 related to disability bias. That’s down from 95 the previous year. Read the entire article here: http://bit.ly/2fVN1M6

h/t DisabilityScoop Top Senate Democrats want Congress to approve a one-time $581 emergency payment for the more than 65 million retirees, veterans and Americans with disabilities who receive Social Security payments. Learn more: http://bit.ly/2f0dGXL